Father Denny Dempsey

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 3, 2008

Reading 1, Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13  Zephaniah was the ninth of the minor prophets in the Old Testament believed to have prophesied during the early years of King Josiah (beginning 640 B.C.) prior to the finding of the book of the law (probably Deuteronomy) during temple restoration in 622 B.C. Based on the contents of that book, Josiah ordered a religious reform temporarily abolished the idolatrous deviations and abuses denounced by Zephaniah in his oracles. In this section the prophet speaks of the perfection of a society true to the Lord following a purging of the Jewish nation.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time January 27, 2008

Reading 1, Isaiah 8:23-9:3 Zebulun and Naphtali were among the twelve sons of Jacob/Israel. The tribes of their descendants located in northern Galilee, the first areas on the path of the Assyrian army which conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C. Archaeologists have discovered no indication of Jewish settlement in Galilee from the Assyrian conquest until resettlement during the 2nd century B.C. It was truly the District of the Gentiles during that time period.

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time January 20, 2008

Reading 1, Isaiah 49:3,5-6  This is the second of Isaiah’s four “Servant-of-the-Lord” oracles mentioned last week. Whereas the first prophecy focused on the ministry of the servant, this one focuses on the glory of God revealed through him. Similar to the first prophecy, the mission goes beyond the people of Israel to the ends of the earth.

Baptism of the Lord January 13, 2008

Reading 1, Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7  This is the first of Isaiah’s four “Servant-of-the-Lord” oracles (others being 49:1-7, 50:4-11, 52:13-53:12). This figure prophesied by Isaiah refer to Israel’s hope for a Messiah, God’s anointed leader who will establish the new kingdom of God. Christians, of course, see these prophesies referring to Jesus. “Coastlands” refers to all the nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea. There were Jewish settlements in almost all of these countries. Paul would see his calling to bring the teaching about Jesus to all those lands. He did reach as far west as Rome and wrote about his hope to travel as far as Spain.